Nicola Roberts Purple Eyes EOTD (picture heavy)

A few weeks ago I was asked to try and recreate the dramatic smokey purple eyes that Nicola Roberts sported on her documentary: The Truth about Tanning. Did you see it? It was an eye opener into how damaging sunbeds can be - a must see!

Anyway, back to Nicola's eyes ... here are a couple of very dodgy pics of the look. Sorry, I literally took a photo of the screen with my iphone. I'm sure there is a better way but ... ah, here you go ..
I decided to tone down the look ever so slightly as it is quite dramatic and dark on Nicola's eyes and could be overwhelming if you're not used to wearing your eye make up so dark. I'm actually so disappointed at how my camera has picked up the colour as it was much more intense and very similar to what we see in Nicola's pics in real life.
Enough already with the cringeworthy photos!!! Okay okay, so onto how I created the eye. I hate anything too complicated, it's just laborious, time consuming and requires far too much precision when using too many different colours so I stuck to 3 shades to create the look.
I used Bourjois Bleu Lavande and 2 shades from the Sleek Graphite palette. First up was the Bourjois Bleu Lavande, all over the lid. Then I used the dark purple from the Sleek palette (bottom row, last colour) in the outer v, socket and blended right along the crease, I also sweeped this underneath the eye. I then used the shade next to this (bottom row, second last shade) which is slightly darker with a hint of navy to add some depth, again this was blended along the crease, outer v and underneath the eye.

Finally, I used MAC Blacktrack to line the eyes and UD 24/7 liner in zero for the waterline. I added some of the white from the graphite palette to highlight the browbone and added lashings and lashings of mascara.

For the rest of the face, I used Revlon Colourstay in Buff, Bobbi Brown concealer in warm ivory, Nars Laguna to contour, MAC Springsheen blush, MAC Redhead MSF as highlight and Rimmel Foxy lipstick with MACs ample pink as a gloss. In hindsight I would have gone for a peachier look on the lips.

How does this look? Was I close?

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Another EOTD

It's been a very busy week so I've not had much time for anything so I thought I would show you another effort from when I was having a play with the Sleek Graphite palette.

This look was completely inspired by Pixiwoos video.
I followed the Pixiwoo's tutorial as much as I could. Using the dark grey/silver from the Sleek palette all over my lid and blending out with the lighter silver. I then used the purple shade from the palette on the outer v and crease of my eye and on the inner quarter I blended through some Urban Decay Mossgreen. I brought the grey from the graphite palette underneath my eye and then used a blue shade I had lying around on top (can't remember what this was)
I finished off with some MAC fluidline in blacktrack and YSL Singulier Mascara. Again with some tweeking and more care I could definitely wear this for the party season.

What do you think? Tips always welcome :)

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EOTD - Purple Rain

A night or 2 ago, I was feeling a bit rubbish with having a cold (yet again) and in my pitiful state of boredom I decided to have a play about with my new Sleek Graphite Palette. For as much make up as I own, I rarely have time to just play or mess about with it so it was nice to do so.
For this look, I used my new Sleek Graphite palette (LE) and the Urban Decay Book of Shadows Volume 2.
I started off using Mac Paint in Untitled as a base the applied the purple shade from the Sleek Palette (it's the bottom right corner purple). I applied this all over my lid. I had to really build up the colour with this so it was a case of applying then blending then repeat until I was happy with the colour pay off. In the end I took the colour higher on the lid than normal to add some drama and I also applied the colour under the lower lashline to create a smokey effect.
I then applied the darkest shade from the UD Book of Shadows - Perversion. I only applied a quarter to half way into the eye and really concentrated the colour on the outer v. I then applied the pink shade - Sphynx from this palette to the inner half of the lid and worked out toward the outer v. I then used UD 24/7 liner in zero on my waterline and lightly lined the lid with Mac Fluidline in Blacktrack. Also to highlight the brow bone I added some Mac shadow in Vanilla. I finished the look with YSL Singulier mascara.

I would definitely wear this look with flawless skin and light pink glossy lips for a night out. The overall look was a lot more matte than what I expected from both UD and Sleek shadows but I'd rather there was less shimmer with a look that is dramatic like this.

What dramatic eyes are you favouring? Any tips how I can make this better?

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Sleek Cherry Lips ... Oh! and the Graphite Palette too!

I stopped by Superdrug today looking for nothing in particular but ended up at the Sleek stand. Everyone has been going on about the new limited edition Graphite Palette but I hadn't really planned on purchasing as sleek shadows do nothing for me at all. However, once I seen it I thought for only £4 or so it really didn't matter if I ended up disliking it like. You see, the colours are the perfect smokey eye palette so the concept is ideal, the shades are spot on but I have yet to test the quality which for me never seems to sit well on my lids. Anyway, here is the palette - I haven't swatched them or tried them out yet but I am sure you have seen it on everyone else's blogs by now anyway.
What I have been on the lookout for recently is a lovely berry shade of lipstick. Once upon a time I only wore dark berry shades on my lips but since switching to mostly pinks, I find it hard to adjust to seeing myself in darker shades.

I have been determined to get just the right shade but while picking up the Sleek palette I had a look at their True Colours lipsticks... they are only £3.44 (I think?) so again I thought if it doesn't suit it's hardly a loss. I picked up the shade, Cherry. I also picked up what I thought was a darker shade but when I came home it turned out I had 2 of the same Ugh!
The lipstick comes in sleek, black compact packaging which is nice and doesn't look as cheap as it costs. As for the shade itself ... well, I take it as a good sign when my husband arrived home and told me 'Now, that's a red that suits you!' Cheeky so and so!
The lasting ability of this is particularly good - I have had it on since about 5pm, it's now 9.30 and I only touched it up to take a quick photo - other than that it was looking pretty reasonable. Certainly for a product as bargainous as this - I think it's great!

Has anyone else tried Sleek lipstick? What shades do you like?

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FOTD - Liquid Metals

Here is a quick face of the day/night. I realise I look like an extra from Fame in these photos and I make no apology for it.... don't laugh, ok?! ;p
Looking back at past FOTD they all seem to turn out similar to this ... i am not sure why as it really isn't a look I do all that often. My everyday look is very plain with winged liner and big lashes so it's a bit of a treat to use eyeshadow or any colour on my eyes these days.Products used:
FACE
ME ME ME Liquid Mineral Foundation mixed with Mac Lustre drops
Mac Select cover up in NW20
Barry M Natural Dazzle to contour and Nars Laguna to Bronze
Mac MSF Redhead to highlight
Nars Orgasm
EYES
Sleek Storm Palette - Champagne shade all up to brow bone as highlight; golden bronze on lid and rich bronze brown to contour
Illamasqua liquid metal solstice on inner corner of eye and Enrapture on outer corner blended out
Chanel Exceptionelle Mascara
LIPS
Mac Oak Lipliner
Barry M 136 Lip paint
Barry M nude gloss (don't have shade to hand - think it is No.3)Posey Poserson Alert!! A bit of vacant gazing never goes amiss on a beauty blog ;P!

So what do you think of this look? Is it just too similar to my usual looks?

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